County Championship Round Two preview of matches commencing 14th April

The second round of County Championship matches commence on Thursday with the four days spread over Easter weekend.

In Division One at Canterbury, Kent entertain Lancashire. The hosts will be looking for their first victory Division One after their opening match against Essex at Chelmsford ended in a high scoring draw.

For Lancashire, considered by most pundits as one of the favourites for the title, this will be their opening match of the campaign and all eyes will be on how well they start the season.

At Taunton, Somerset face Essex. The home side will be looking to kick start their season and to bounce back from a heavy Innings defeat in their opening match of the championship against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

For Essex, expect Sir Alistair Cook to continue his fine start to the season after yet another century to his name in the drawn match against Kent.

At Bristol, Gloucestershire are up against Yorkshire. The hosts drew their opening match of the season against Northants, despite having the visitors eight down on the final day.

Yorkshire will open up their campaign on Thursday looking to put aside the problems they have experienced off the field. They will want to start off well after finishing last season with two defeats.

The final game in Division One is at the Kia Oval where Surrey face off against Hampshire.

The visitors have already opened up their campaign with an impressive victory over Somerset last week. At first glance, their pace attack looks to be firing well and could well cause Surrey a few problems.

Surrey will be looking to get off the mark after their game against current champions Warwickshire ended in a draw at Edgbaston last week.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire are up against Glamorgan at Trent Bridge. The hosts have already opened up their account with a comprehensive ten-wicket victory over Sussex at Hove.

Glamorgan will be looking to open their account for the first time this season after their opening match against Durham ended in a draw.

At Chester-Le-Street Durham will entertain Leicestershire. Both sides have yet to taste victory with Durham drawing their match against Glamorgan and Leicestershire escaping by the skin of their teeth to deny Worcestershire victory with nine men down.

Derbyshire will entertain Sussex at Derby starting on Thursday as both sides look to get their first win on the board.

The home side drew their opening fixture against Middlesex at Lords whilst Sussex will be desperate to shake off their ten-wicket defeat at the hands of Notts and break a run of five heavy defeats going back to last year.

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